DSWD documentary wins silver at international filmfest

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A video-documentary produced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) won for the Philippines a Silver Remi at the 43rd WorldFest Houston International Film Festival in Texas, USA.

The documentary competed in the social and economic issues video category.

Titled “Power through Participation,” the documentary featured the efforts of marginalized groups to work towards their community’s development under the Japan Social Development-Social Inclusion Project, a complementary grant facility to the World Bank -unded Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Service or KALAHI-CIDSS.

The video documentary captured how indigenous people, conflict-affected communities, and women innovated and mobilized local resources to produce sustainable impacts on the community’s economy and social order.

Three areas from the Philippines seen in the three-part documentary were Pinabacdao in Samar, Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat, and Saclit in the town of Sadanga, Mountain Province.

In the Cordillera, DSWD regional director Porfiria Bernardez said the Silver Remi (inspired by the creative genius of the great western artist Frederick Remington, famous for his paintings and sculptures of cowboy life in Texas and the West) is a tribute to the people of Saclit in Sadanga who implemented the Social Inclusion Project with a conflict resolution component.

“We thought the conflict in Sadanga will last long, but we were surprised of Sadanga’s commitment to settle the issue not only for the benefit of barangay Saclit but of the whole town,” she added.

KALAHI-CIDSS training officer Rogerson Dennis Fernandez, who was part of the production team that documented the Sadanga experience, said, “The Saclit story is unique because it captured the harrowing effects of tribal war and how the women led the community in development work while struggling for peace in the community.”

Fernandez added the documentary’s cinematography was enhanced by the natural beauty of barangay Saclit.

The winning documentary was produced in partnership with Making A Difference through Communication (MADComm) Limited Inc. production house.

WorldFest was founded in August 1961 as Cinema Arts, an International Film Society.

It aims to recognize and honor outstanding creative excellence in film and video and validate brilliant abilities.

WorldFest became the third competitive international film festival in North America, following San Francisco and New York. It is the oldest independent film and video festival in the world.

It evolved into a competitive international film festival in April, 1968.